Over 80 killed in China coal mine gas explosion

More than 80 people have been killed and two remain missing after a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China, officials said, in the country’s deadliest mining disaster since 2009.

According to the BBC rescue authorities in Shanxi province revised the death toll down late on May 23, from an earlier figure of at least 90. They said 247 workers were on duty when the blast struck on Friday evening, May 22.

More than 100 people were rescued, while 128 remain in hospital, including two in critical condition.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to treat the injured and search for survivors.

The State Council said a “rigorous” investigation would be carried out and those responsible would be “severely punished”.

Officials said the initial casualty figures were confused due to chaotic conditions at the scene.

Most of the injured were affected by inhalation of toxic gas, state media reported, though the type of gas has not been confirmed.

According to local reports, some members of the mine’s management team have reportedly been detained. State media said carbon monoxide levels — a highly toxic, odourless gas — had exceeded safe limits.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed 345 personnel from six rescue teams.

Rescue operations have been hampered by water accumulation near the blast site, blocking access to parts of the mine. Officials also said mine blueprints did not match actual underground conditions.

The Liushenyu Coal Mine was listed in 2024 as a “severe safety hazard” by the national mine safety regulator. Its operator, Tongzhou Group, received two administrative penalties in 2025 over safety violations.